01/02/2008 The Notion Office may be the media equivalent of a crack-den; people coming, going and praying for their fix of - “hard-copy, man, hard-copy” - from our whimsical palms, but we happen to be at the epicentre of London’s coolest, trendiest, most hip-and-happening area. Oh yeah, you’re damn right; we’re Eastenders baby, just like the good folk of Albert Square.
East London’s a pretty eclectic area. Nobody turns a blind eye at a guy wearing polka-dot hot-pants, a woman with a goatee, or a pigeon listening to Iron Maiden on an iPod Nano. Okay, so they’re a figment of my drug-frazzled, externally, internally and eternally damaged brain… But you get the gist? It’s a pretty diverse neck of the woods. Hence why the Art fraternity have stood-up and taken notice.
Eastern Thinking is a new and permanent exhibition within the hallowed walls of the Andaz Hotel. A pretty famous establishment, it has be said. Basically, the whole Eastern Thinking initiative is to blend a bit of this with a bit of that, all with an undertone of the East End from past to present.
The Andaz has teamed up with arty types from the creative hub of the area, ranging from a Drag Cabaret Artist right through to an Interior Designer, to make the hotel into a representation of those working and living in EC and E2.
They’ve even got quotes hidden in the décor; those everyday snippets of conversation you hear about the "filth" and the "grime" and the "glamour" when you’re trudging around the East End, searching like Attenborough for the latest Banksy or vintage bowler hat.
The quotes have been: “Designed into the fabric of the building. Some subtle and some more obvious - all positioned and designed with the aesthetics of the hotel space in mind.” Throughout the hotel there’ll be short films explaining the story behind each quote... Here’s a rundown of those responsible for the venture…
Jonny Woo Drag Cabaret Artist
Drag cabaret performer and starlet of the East End social scene, Jonny Woo has founded a series of significant music and entertainment events at key local venues –including ‘Stark Dallas Naked’ at Bistrotheque in Bethnal Green, and ‘Gay Bingo’ at Tea bar in Shoreditch.
Peter Newman Artist and Sculptor
A globally celebrated artist, Newman has made paintings, photographic, video installations and objects which explore how human beings 'grasp external space through bodily situation’. In 1999 he was awarded the Mark Rothko Travel Scholarship.
Jason Bruges Interactive Creative Design
The Jason Bruges Studio, founded in 2002, creates installations, sculptures and environments that focus on interaction with the individual and the environment. Recent works include temporary installations for Tate Britain, Victoria and Albert Museum, and the London Architecture Biennale.
Barber Osgerby Furniture and Interior Designers
Super stars of the international furniture and design scene, working on architectural projects for clients such as Stella McCartney and even product design for Levi Strauss
Jo Hunter Vexed Generation Fashion Designer
Established in 1994, Vexed Generation Clothing was set up to produce clothes that suit an urban environment and promote issues of environmental and social significance. Recent designs included costumes for the arts council funded film Warstars, shot in Iceland.
Joss McKinley Artist and Photographer
Joss takes his inspiration from personal transience and the physical state and often focuses on taxidermy of everyday animals as his subject matter. As a photographer, his clients include Wallpaper, Vogue, Paul Smith and Betty Jackson.
Danny Sangra Fashion Illustrator
Sangra has illustrated for various fashion and style magazines, design prints, shoes, product and layouts – recent collaboration include work with the shoe company Double Identity, and designing prints for the Marc by Marc Jacobs range.
Hannah Martin Luxury Jewellery Designer
Designs fiercely opulent jewellery, as worn by David Beckham in his latest ad for Motorola earlier this year.
Checkinit Art Direction and Trend-Forecasting Agency
Checkinit offers a forward thinking world of cool, designed to breathe inspiration into brands and fashion houses – with a focus on art, style and media.
Jam Art, design and Brand Expression Creative Group
Leading creative group outputting art, design and brand expression across the world based in Hoxton. Clients include Playstation, Audi, Reebok, Sony, Coca Cola, Vodafone and Virgin Atlantic.
Andaz Liverpool Street London,
40 Liverpool Street, London,
United Kingdom, EC2M 7QN
Tel: +44 207 961 1234
Words: Dave Dryden |
